I’m new to PC building and I am purchasing RGB fans for my first build but I want to show them off too. I don’t see the point in buying RBG fans to have it front mounted and then be covered by the radiator. On PC Part Picker, most (if not all) builds using front mounted AIO coolers has mounted the fan then the radiator for in intake configuration. For front mounted radiator configurations can I mount the radiator first then the fans for an intake setup?
Front Mounted Radiator Fan Setup
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Barty1884
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You can, depending on the case.
The orientation will have impacts on your overall cooling ability though.
Pulling air "in", through a radiator, will increase temps some internally (a variety of factors will dictate how much, specifically).
What case are you working with?
Why not have your RGB fans as intake at the front, and mount the radiator exhausting with other fans in another location (typically, the top).
The orientation will have impacts on your overall cooling ability though.
Pulling air "in", through a radiator, will increase temps some internally (a variety of factors will dictate how much, specifically).
What case are you working with?
Why not have your RGB fans as intake at the front, and mount the radiator exhausting with other fans in another location (typically, the top).
jimboraver77
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have a read of this
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/dominic-moass/fan-config-does-it-matter-testing-push-vs-pull-vs-pushpull/3/
https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/dominic-moass/fan-config-does-it-matter-testing-push-vs-pull-vs-pushpull/3/
Barty1884
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Unless I misread the OP @jimbo, that's not too relevant.
The results in Kitguru's article compare Push vs Push/Pull in a RAD. In both instances, they're acting as exhaust (or "double" exhaust).
Intake fans at the front, paired with a RAD (doesn't really matter if they're "pushing" or "pulling" the air in) will pull in air warmer than ambient.
The Radiator is where the heat is dissipated from. So ambient air, moves through the "warm" rad, making the resulting intake warmer than ambient - potentially increasing the temps for the result of your components (GPU etc, VRMs on the board would likely be negligible).
Configured as an exhaust (whether push, or pull), the internal air (case ambient) pushes moves through the rad, dissipating the heat to the outside.
Whether you do push, pull or push/pull, you have to consider which direction the now warmers air is moving. In to the case, or out of the case.
The results in Kitguru's article compare Push vs Push/Pull in a RAD. In both instances, they're acting as exhaust (or "double" exhaust).
Intake fans at the front, paired with a RAD (doesn't really matter if they're "pushing" or "pulling" the air in) will pull in air warmer than ambient.
The Radiator is where the heat is dissipated from. So ambient air, moves through the "warm" rad, making the resulting intake warmer than ambient - potentially increasing the temps for the result of your components (GPU etc, VRMs on the board would likely be negligible).
Configured as an exhaust (whether push, or pull), the internal air (case ambient) pushes moves through the rad, dissipating the heat to the outside.
Whether you do push, pull or push/pull, you have to consider which direction the now warmers air is moving. In to the case, or out of the case.
You would be correct, it would seem Jimbo misunderstood me. If I recall correctly, I watched a YouTuber named BitWit where he tested radiator fan placements. Through his testing he found that front mounted radiators had better cooling results. Not too significant but enough to take note of. So I'd rather mount it in the front. Also from an aesthetic standpoint, I prefer the tubes of the AIO being horizontally across the motherboard rather than vertically. As for my case, I'm still stuck between the NZXT S340 Elite or the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX mid tower. And judging by your two posts it would seem that it would not be a good idea to pull air through the radiator. If this is the case, then I may opt for a push/pull configuration for the radiator but that now may causes clearance issues for my build. And just to add, the AIO coolers I may be choosing would either be the Corsair H115i or the Kraken X62 which both have 280mm radiators.
jimboraver77
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ah yes sry Barty your right it was me who didnt read it properly, i agree with you its better to have the radiator as an exhaust and not an intake, although the OP does say for a front mounted radiator so surely it will make no difference? The heat is still being pushed or pulled into the case. but again as you say if he can mount it at the rear or the top then that will be better.
I'd prefer having the radiator front mounted and having the fans exposed but it would seem that pulling air through a radiator would increase the temp. So I may have to do a push/pull configuration or just buy non-RGB fans and have them be covered by the radiator.
Barty1884
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There's more to it than strictly front intake vs top exhaust.
The balance of the airflow (other fans etc), the specific case in question (orientation) etc.
There's no "right" answer, and each have pros & cons. Kyle even mentions that in his video (as do others).
In that video, you can see what caused the issue. The open faced card releases more heat inside the case (blowers at least partially exhaust themselves), heat rises, exhaust fans at the top push "hot" air through the rad, so temps aren't reduced in the rad/liquid as much.
Kyle's numbers are a lot more varied that a lot of other tests conducted... usually you're only talking a 1-2'c swing in either orientation.
There's too many variables to definitively state though, as results only speak to the configs they're tested with.
In theory, you could somewhat "normalize" for the 'warm' air coming in via the front, by populating the bottom (for example) with intakes too. Rear + Top as exhausts. *should* give you the best of both, but is arguably overkill in 99% of systems,.... and would probably be loud.
FWIW, quality air coolers can rival almost any AIO, with less hassle, no real points of failure, more consistent across configurations... and the added benefit of additional airflow.
The balance of the airflow (other fans etc), the specific case in question (orientation) etc.
There's no "right" answer, and each have pros & cons. Kyle even mentions that in his video (as do others).
In that video, you can see what caused the issue. The open faced card releases more heat inside the case (blowers at least partially exhaust themselves), heat rises, exhaust fans at the top push "hot" air through the rad, so temps aren't reduced in the rad/liquid as much.
Kyle's numbers are a lot more varied that a lot of other tests conducted... usually you're only talking a 1-2'c swing in either orientation.
There's too many variables to definitively state though, as results only speak to the configs they're tested with.
In theory, you could somewhat "normalize" for the 'warm' air coming in via the front, by populating the bottom (for example) with intakes too. Rear + Top as exhausts. *should* give you the best of both, but is arguably overkill in 99% of systems,.... and would probably be loud.
FWIW, quality air coolers can rival almost any AIO, with less hassle, no real points of failure, more consistent across configurations... and the added benefit of additional airflow.
I think I may have found the solution to my problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pykvwv5vcY&t=227s
In the video, Jay has a similar set up as to what I want to make my build look like (minus the radiator he has placed on the top). He talks about how he wants his build to be aesthetically balanced. Meaning he either would want to only show the radiators in his builds or the fans. In his instance in the video he wanted the both top and front fans showing. As do I for my build. I don't like seeing my fans showing on top but then see only the radiator in the front. In the video he also talks about fan placement on the radiators. That it does not matter if I place the fan in front of the radiator or behind when trying to pull air into the case for a front mounted radiator as they will perform the same. Feel free to clarify or correct me since I'm still a newbie and could have completely misunderstood Jay. But his radiator fan set up in the video mimics what I plan on doing (minus the second radiator mounted on top). The fan set up I had in mind is to mount the radiator in front with the fans exposed as an intake, while the top and back are configured as exhausts.
Barty1884
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Unless I'm misunderstanding.
Pic 4 would have your fans, essentially on the "outside" (ie between the Rad and the case itself?)
With the airflow direction highlighted on the picture, that would be orientated to pull air through the Rad (from the inside of the case) towards the outside.
In that instance, it would be removing air.
Inside of case>>>Radiator>>>Fan>>>Front Panel
From what you described before, I expected more akin to picture #2.
Inside of Case<<<<Radiator<<<Fan<<<Front Panel.
Pic 4 would have your fans, essentially on the "outside" (ie between the Rad and the case itself?)
With the airflow direction highlighted on the picture, that would be orientated to pull air through the Rad (from the inside of the case) towards the outside.
In that instance, it would be removing air.
Inside of case>>>Radiator>>>Fan>>>Front Panel
From what you described before, I expected more akin to picture #2.
Inside of Case<<<<Radiator<<<Fan<<<Front Panel.
No #4 would mean that the radiator would mount to the case and then the fan onto the radiator with the air flow coming in from the room into the case. I’ll make an image myself later when I’m home to better illustrate what my idea is. So
Front of case —> Radiator —> Fan pulling air into the case.
Front of case —> Radiator —> Fan pulling air into the case.
Barty1884
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Oh, I understand now. I think you'll probably find some variance in push(ing) through the rad vs pull (ing) through, but you'd need to test.
I assumed you wanted your RGB visible through the front panel. In this instance, the rad would block most.... so assume you meant visible through the side panel more than anything else?
I assumed you wanted your RGB visible through the front panel. In this instance, the rad would block most.... so assume you meant visible through the side panel more than anything else?
Barty1884
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You don't "have" to put the fans anywhere specifically. Assuming all fans are similar in airflow, you'll end up with a negative air pressure situation with that setup.
Positive vs Negative is an age old argument, and each have their benefits.
More exhaust (in air volume moved), will pull air in through any crack/opening in the chassis..... typically, that'll be unfiltered air = dust.
Personally, if the case allows, I would take one of the top exhausts and use it as a bottom intake. Air will escape naturally though the top anyway. That would give you some cooler air coming into the case, as the fans on the rad (theoretically anyway), will be warmer than ambient after pulling through the rad.
Positive vs Negative is an age old argument, and each have their benefits.
More exhaust (in air volume moved), will pull air in through any crack/opening in the chassis..... typically, that'll be unfiltered air = dust.
Personally, if the case allows, I would take one of the top exhausts and use it as a bottom intake. Air will escape naturally though the top anyway. That would give you some cooler air coming into the case, as the fans on the rad (theoretically anyway), will be warmer than ambient after pulling through the rad.
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